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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does coil insertion hurt?

80 replies

Supersimkin2 · 03/09/2020 10:57

Sitting with petrified friend - having Mirena put in at 3. Does it hurt that much?

YABU = no, it's fine and not painful really
YANBU = brace yourself for pain

OP posts:
TheHighestSardine · 03/09/2020 11:00

It can hurt, but doesn't need to.

For the first try, I'd tell (not ask) them to not use pliers to grab the cervix - that's far more painful than the insertion itself in my experience.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 03/09/2020 11:03

Take paracetamol before your appointment. Paracetamol blocks pain receptors so it will already be working when the procedure takes place. Take ibuprofen afterwards. It's a bit uncomfortable, but not painful.

TheNanny23 · 03/09/2020 11:03

I mean it is painful, but not for long.

I’ve not had children and I’ve had two inserted. It’s uncomfortable, a sudden ‘oof’ and then done. She should take paracetamol and ibuprofen an hour or two beforehand.

I feel it’s very very worth it for five years of no periods and no babies! I imagine giving birth is a whole world of pain worse!

BigBlondeBimbo · 03/09/2020 11:06

Mine was quite uncomfortable, not agony, but uncomfortable. Luckily she was a dab hand at it (older, female GP) and she was out and in within a minute. Couldn't believe it, as I was ready for a big ordeal.

I didn't get on with mine in the end, but the insertion wasn't the issue at all.

ChickenwingChickenwing · 03/09/2020 11:06

I have had 3. I didn't even feel the 3rd one going in. The other 2 I felt but no pain.

babblingbumblingbandofbaboons · 03/09/2020 11:07

I’m on my third Mirena and in my opinion its uncomfortable going in but nothing that can’t be helped with a dose of paracetamol beforehand. I cramp quite a bit after insertion so find that having a quiet afternoon on the sofa with a hot water bottle, paracetamol and tea (or your hot drink of choice) afterwards really helps - basically don’t plan anything too strenuous for the following 24 hours. You’ll be ok, and it will be worth it!

Enchantmentz · 03/09/2020 11:09

It might hurt a little, it might hurt a lot or not at all rare. Has she had kids? This has a lot of bearing on how easy the insertion will be. I am on my 2nd or third now and I would put the pain down to an inconvenient but necessary evil like having a vaccination. Being relaxed will also help reduce pain.

Overall it isn't that bad imo, at least it wasn't for me and it is over almost as soon as it has begun. Get her to practice breathing long and deep helps relax and focus the mind elsewhere.

starfish88 · 03/09/2020 11:10

I found my first to be horribly painful going in but my second which was 6 weeks after DS was born was much better. I think having had a baby helps make it hurt less or maybe it's just less bad than labor! But as others have said it's so worth it.

2beautifulbabs · 03/09/2020 11:10

No it doesn't hurt it's a little uncomfortable but certainly not painful
I had mine done early March this year.

cricketmum84 · 03/09/2020 11:11

Mine hurt but I don't think it went it the right position as I could feel it after and had to request removal after 3 months.

Most go fine though and are painless although I would advise a couple of paracetamol beforehand just in case it is a bit ouchy.

Italiangranny · 03/09/2020 11:14

It was somewhat painful but only for a minute. Cramps maybe afterwards so yes take painkillers before you go.

BirthdayCakes · 03/09/2020 11:16

My friend told me it was fine and that she'd had far worse periods so I was totally relaxed when I went for mine

I wondered why they had two nurses - one to do the job, the other to distract me with chat and to 'just hold my hand'

It really hurt and it hurt for days afterwards

Hopefulhen · 03/09/2020 11:19

My uterus sort of felt like it was spasming when it first went in. My blood pressure dropped and they had to tilt the table down towards my head. I had a local anaesthetic applied to my cervix beforehand so it didn’t hurt until that point. However, the pain was fairly brief and I had never been pregnant at the time so my uterus had never been stretched which apparently makes the discomfort far worse.

SospanFrangipan · 03/09/2020 11:21

I had one in for a brief period, it hurt like hell and I had pain for about three days afterwards. I had to have it removed after 6 weeks as the side effects I had were awful. Really wish it had of worked for me though.

SospanFrangipan · 03/09/2020 11:22

I have given birth too, so that doesn't make any difference!

FrowningFlamingo · 03/09/2020 11:27

I have one and also fit them.
It’s very variable but generally it’s not the most pleasant thing in the world but not painful as such.
I always feel like ‘uncomfortable’ is downplaying it a bit but ‘painful’ unnecessarily worrying for most people. And takes a few minutes at the most.
The more relaxed someone is the less sore they generally find it but I appreciate telling someone to relax is easier said than done!

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 03/09/2020 11:27

I had mine inserted under general anaesthetic (while they were performing another procedure). The first time that they planned to do it, they did a smear test at the same time that was really difficult/painful they decided not to bother and wait until the GA.

When I had it removed (also painful) the Doctor said it was uncomfortable, but just like a smear test,

So, I'm probably not the best judge - but when I was arranging for it to be removed, the GP surgery said "oh, the nurse that used to do that has left, I'll ask one of the new ones if they'd like to have a go"

"Have a go?" - not bloody likely. I chose to go to a sexual health clinic where they had staff that do this type of procedure day in, day out, rather than only occasional. I found the woman at the sexual health clinic extremely good, and tons more patient than nurses at the GPs.

mrbob · 03/09/2020 11:28

If she has had kids then apparently not too bad. I have had 3 and 1 was amazingly fine- bit of a stab and then no issues and 2 which were pretty sore but over in a minute or two. My main problem is I get a really bad vagal response and feel like I am going to pass out and vomit. The last time that went on for about 15 minutes but I just lay in a heap and waited for it to go.
Plenty to drink (water) and some paracetamol and ibuprofen and it is totally worth it. A few minutes of pain and now no periods for over 10 years. Bliss

starlet14 · 03/09/2020 11:29

YABU. I've had two. I didn't find them too bad despite being told it may be difficult as I've never laboured given birth naturally (2 c sections). It really wasn't that bad at all. Didn't bleed after either.

SisterWendyBuckett · 03/09/2020 11:30

The older I've got and the more Mirena fittings I've had, the worse I find it.

I've had one occasion when the wires had been cut too short on insertion and it was almost impossible to remove. And very painful. But I would hope that's unusual.

Definitely take pain relief before hand but I would
advise continuing to take it for a day or two afterwards - certainly overnight. I get a very unpleasant sore/scraped sensation with cramps that makes me feel quite sick.

However! If you can get on with it okay after the insertion then it's a fantastic method of birth control and way to stop
heavy or painful periods (and PMT.)

Redraptor · 03/09/2020 11:32

Do you have kids?

My first was before children and did hurt, only for a few seconds but it was agony. Little bit of cramping after but not bad

My second was post dds and I didnt feel a thing

SisterWendyBuckett · 03/09/2020 11:36

It's hard to know if having kids makes a difference. I've had 2 caesareans and it's really been getting older that has increased the pain. I don't know why. Maybe something to do with the cervix being less soft or open?

Mochudhu · 03/09/2020 12:01

Mine hurt like hell but I had forgotten to take a painkiller beforehand. I actually felt sick it was so painful and they put me to lie down in another room. After about 30 minutes I lied and said I was fine, just so they would let me leave (and drive home). It was like the worst period pain I've ever had and lasted a couple of days.

Sorry if this is against the grain but it's my experience. (I also think that "your forget the pain of childbirth the moment you hold you baby in your arms" is also total bollocks, but again that's just my experience.)

Probably don't read this post out to your friend though.

HasaDigaEebowai · 03/09/2020 12:04

Ive literally just arrived back from having mine changed. Its my fourth one. Its never hurt before, just been mildly uncomfortable like having a smear. This time - Wow. Out was fine - new one in was not. I audibly gasped and had cramping. But it only lasted for ten minutes and Ive now just got mild discomfort.

Original poster
Supersimkin2 · 03/09/2020 12:05

Brilliant, y'all total stars, is 5mg of valium and a couple of paracetomol a help?

OP posts:
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